Surviving the Game as a Barbarian – 205



Episode 205: A Moment (1)

A Daejeon located deep within the Noark Fortress.

A man was talking to someone through a crystal ball.

“Amelia Lane Wales. “Did you find the explorer?”

[Not yet. Lord Seong.]

“I see….”

The first regular report we have received since the city went into lockdown.

There was no way there would be any results already but Seongju fell into a deep sleep without realizing it.

However the sad news was delivered to him again.

[I have one more thing to tell you.]

“What? “Tell me.”

[It is said that specially produced dog tags from the royal family will be distributed to explorers starting this month.]

“…Is it a magic tool?”

[yes.]

“Tell me in more detail. “If you were you you would have already looked into it further.”

Afterwards Seongju heard information about the ‘dog tag’ scheduled to be distributed by the royal family through Amelia.

The more I listened the more gloomy it became.

A dog tag designed by the royal wizard himself.

“It would probably take several months for us to come up with something similar.”

[Yes I think so too.]

“Thank you for telling me the news. Don’t worry about this and focus on your mission. See you next month.”

After ending the contact with those words Seongju closed his eyes and fell into deep sleep.

And how long did he last?

“Ah are you here?”

Seongju who summoned the treasurer first checked Noark’s financial situation.

No I specifically asked this.

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“Treasurer how long can we last without entering the labyrinth?”

“If we continue like this it will be three months.”

In the aftermath of the last battle the situation was not good.

But we were never ahead of them.

So this is familiar.

This is also what our ancestors did.

“What if you starve and starve and endure? “Then how long can you last?”

“…It’s probably twice that much.”

“I see.”

Seongju briefly nodded his head.

And this time he called his aide and gave instructions.

“Seal the labyrinth and do not allow anyone to enter until my order is given.”

“…there will be a lot of backlash. “How long will we ever know?”

Seongju answered firmly.

“At least until we can make it according to the dog tags made by the royal family.”

If you go in before that you will definitely die.

therefore….

“Hold on and hold on until they let down their guard.”

You have to wait for your time and be patient.

Then it will definitely come.

Just one chance to change everything.

***

“The labyrinth has been closed.”

“The character moves to Lapdonia.”

***

Light slowly enters over closed eyelids.

I opened my eyes leisurely and for the first time in a long time the sunny sky filled my eyes.

The hot city air fills my lungs with every breath I take.

Once again I feel the passage of time throughout my body.

‘Is it already June….’

Six months have already passed since the day I was exiled to Bifron.

Winter which seemed like a joke compared to Korea has come to an end long ago and even the short spring is coming to an end.

‘It’s fascinating.’

It was March when I came to this world.

It’s really been over a year since I came here.

It was the same when I paid my taxes for the first year but I still feel strange.

To be honest my life on Earth is becoming increasingly blurry now.

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That’s natural.

If you include the time spent in the labyrinth the time spent here would be almost two years.

“Hey are you going to go back to your dorm right away?”

“For now. “Let’s have a drink after washing up.”

“I’m back ahhh!!”

I checked my surroundings as usual and let go of my brief thoughts.

‘Nothing happened this time either.’

I wondered what other stairs would be like but looking at the reactions of those around me it seemed like there had been no major incidents.

It makes me anxious for no reason.

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow

I lowered my head and checked my wrist.

Although it hadn’t been long since I left the city the identification tag tattooed on my wrist was already becoming a light and scattering.

Although you have to go through the trouble of having to get a new tag each time you enter its performance is different from the old dog tags that could be taken away.

Coincidentally from the time this came out the underground city bastards couldn’t see it even if they washed their eyes and looked for it.

‘…I thought it was time to show up.’

The ecosystems here and on Earth are completely different.

A world without flowing rivers or fertile land for farming.

In order for both Noark and Lafdonia to make a living they must create food using magic stones from the labyrinth.

‘But there has been no news for 6 months already…’

Last month at the round table I heard from the fox that the large clans had formed an alliance in preparation for Noark’s surprise attack so I became more anxious.

Where have they all hidden?

There is no way to supply food other than magic stones.

“Mr. Yandel! “Why are you so late!”

As he was walking gathering his thoughts as if he were going for a walk Raven waved his hand from afar.

Even Mr. Bear who was always late arrived first.

“I have something to think about for a moment.”

“Hmm you could have done that while you were here and waiting in line…”

Well it’s just about efficiency.

Anyway I was the one who was late so I apologized and got in line.

It only took a few minutes for the line to disappear.

Well this is a level 5 checkpoint.

“Are you Team Apple Narak Level 5?”

It’s one of many changes that have occurred over the past six months. I Einar and Misha were promoted to grade 5 and the team grade also rose one level.

To get to level 5 you had to complete the guild quest so it was a little inconvenient but…

We completed the request together three months ago.

The judgment is that in this industry if the grade is low it is inevitable that you will be looked down upon and if you are looked down on more troublesome things will happen.

“Wow they even give out candy here. Bjorn did you know?”

“I didn’t know.”

I put the candy that Misha opened and gave her into her mouth and sucked it.

“It’s hot.”

Lafdonia is a city that is infinitely cruel to the weak.

Now I’m starting to feel like I’m being treated well wherever I go.

“Then will you settle the bill tomorrow?”

“What are you asking about the obvious?”

“Oh! Then let’s go! “Go home!!!”

After simply exchanging the magic stones I headed out to the city.

Jeongsan has a bathing facility for convenience from the level 5 checkpoint but I did not use it this time either.

You can just go home and wash but why bother?

“Then I’ll see you there tomorrow. “Honey I’m here!”

We dispersed in front of Mia Bangyeom and Uncle Bear’s tavern and headed straight home.

A four-story building located within District 7 just 10 minutes away from the commercial city of Commelby.

We use the first and second floors and another explorer couple uses the third and fourth floors.

Since the entrances are different it is unlikely that you will encounter each other.

“Ugh it’s home!”

Unlike the previous accommodation which was a single-room residence the new house is superior in all aspects.

In fact it has only been two months since I moved.

It was a property I really liked but the reason was that the person who lived there before said he was moving out at that time.

Oh of course it came in as monthly rent.

The prices are crazy for sale.

“It takes a long time for us to wash up so if you’re hungry eat first!”

Einar and Misha went into the bathroom on the first floor with a bathtub and I washed myself in the small bathroom on the second floor.

Although it was small the environment was much better than the previous accommodation.

As I was painting my body with soap I chuckled.

‘Maybe this too is a change.’

A spacious house with a kitchen.

Soap sold in workshops not mass-produced soap.

Even the expensive bed I bought with great enthusiasm.

Rather than saving a penny just to return home I began to improve my quality of life here.

However I do not want to regard this as an inefficient action.

How many years will it take from here?

No I’m not sure if it’s even possible to go back now that the Noble Phantasm of Creation is gone.

‘In the first place… I don’t even know if I need to go back.’

As if to shake off my weak will I came out of the bathroom wiping the moisture from my head with a towel.

Wow!

It looks like the bottom is still being washed.

Although I was hungry the food Misha made was much tastier so I just sat on the sofa and dozed off for a while.

How long has it been since then?

“I woke up just in time. “Come and eat.”

The smell whetted my appetite so I looked toward the kitchen and saw a table of food set out on the table. Since there were two barbarians the table consisted mostly of meat.

While eating we had a normal conversation.

“Oh right. Are you going to drop off the equipment today?”

“That’s right. You have to take good care of it to use it for a long time. Eat it all later then collect it and give it to me. “I will go alone.”

“huh. But is the blacksmith again Hikurodnero?”

“Shouldn’t we use it often? “You don’t need any special skills to inspect weapons.”

As time passed the dwarf also opened a blacksmith shop.

It’s been about three months now and it seems like they can’t avoid losing money because it’s an industry based on regular customers.

Well it seems like it’s getting better.

“But Hikuro… if the store goes bankrupt you’ll come back to being an explorer right?”

“Don’t say that in front of him.”

“Am I crazy? I am also a person with thoughts. “I’m just a little worried.”

“Hehe Misha what are you so worried about? “If you fail you can use me as your butler!”

“butler…?”

“Isn’t Hikurod fun!”

What on earth does this guy think of a butler?

I don’t know but it would be foolish to take the barbarian’s words seriously.

We giggled for a while talking about trivial things like that would be fun.

“Then I’ll go to the blacksmith shop so you guys go to bed first.”

“Shall we go together?”

“It’s done. “I’m going to do something great.”

After putting the kids down for a nap first they packed up their gear and headed to the dwarf’s blacksmith shop. And after leaving it for inspection and repair I came back and lay down on the bed.

An extra-large bed purchased for a whopping 350000 stones.

‘Okay this is it.’

I closed my eyes satisfied with the unchanging softness.

For some reason it reminded me of the old days.

Was it when Misha and I stayed at Commelby because the last train was cut off? At that time I sighed and wondered when I would be able to sleep in a bed like this every day. I thought there was a long way to go…

“….”

It’s been over a year since I came to this city.

It doesn’t matter if blood splatters on my body anymore.

On the contrary the days without blood felt even more awkward and it was a time when I felt no emotion even when I harmed people rather than monsters.

I asked myself before going to sleep.

Am I living like a more human being now than I was then?

***

The nap that lasted until the next morning ended with a visit from Misha.

“You said you’re leaving later? “You have to wake up!”

“Ah thank you.”

“What about meals? Shall I take care of it for you?”

“No we decided to meet and eat together.”

“Oh that was it?”

As I was briefly washing my body once more and getting ready to go out I heard snoring from the first floor.

It looks like Einar is still sleeping.

Oh by the way Misha and I share a room on the second floor.

There are two rooms on the first floor but…

Drurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

He snores worse than me.

The one remaining room on the first floor is just being used as a shared storage room.

“Then I’ll see you later at the bar.”

“Yes have a nice trip!”

After saying hello to Misha I left her house.

And instead of taking a carriage we headed to Commelby a 10-minute walk away.

After crossing the gate and walking for about 30 minutes we arrived at the public platform where we were supposed to meet.

Raven had already arrived.

“It’s late. “How long ago did you get off the carriage?”

“…I think you just came early today?”

“Because I’m quick to notice. Come on let’s go. “Because I’m really hungry.”

After joining Raven I finished my meal at a store I frequented and then went to general stores and exchanges to dispose of the loot I had earned during my last expedition.

This time it was saltier than usual.

Thanks to the level 5 essence that came out of the mirror world that entered while holding Mila Roden.

“It may take a while until it is sold but I will distribute it with my own money and receive it later.”

“Then it’s okay for us. Are you okay?”

“What’s not to be okay with? “If we wait until it sells and then get back together and share it it’s just a hassle.”

However we have continued to stick to that method until now.

The judgment is that this is the least likely to be a problem.

“…What is it? “What about those eyes?”

“nothing.”

“I guess it’s nothing?”

“You are mistaken.”

I tried my best to hold back my laughter and walked forward.

Now that I think about it it seems like he has changed a lot.

I’m still not honest though.

“It ended sooner than expected. “Let’s go to the tavern first.”

After finishing selling the loot we headed to the tavern where we had met.

As expected no one has arrived yet.

“It’s better. “I didn’t even have time to clean it up last time.”

Raven who only ordered drinks took out a piece of paper and started writing down what she wanted to settle today.

It took longer than expected.

Every time I asked he said it was no big deal.

“thanks.”

“…Um suddenly?”

“Aren’t you always taking care of annoying tasks on behalf of our team?”

“If there was just one person other than me who would do this I wouldn’t have done it right? “Did you at least give me money to say that?”

“Okay I’ll give it to you. How much is it? “I think everyone will be willing to do it.”

“…That’s enough. “Do you think you will become rich by taking that money?”

I think he would be much more popular if he didn’t have that grumpy way of speaking.

“Oh I thought I’d be the last one.”

As time passed Uncle Bear arrived and soon Sister Geundil also arrived.

The time of settlement began like that.

“That’s 8.5 million stones per person.”

As much as Mila Roden spit out the mirror a large sum of money was in hand. Since I already paid off the debt two months ago all of this income is going into my pocket.

“Now then let’s talk about other things.”

After settling the bill we relaxed over drinks and food and made plans for our next expedition.

Well is it accurate to say that it was announced?

“I don’t plan on going to Hellfire Canyon anymore.”

“yes? why?”

We hunted in Hellfire Canyon for half a year and entered the other world through the mirror a total of three times.

And we completed the exploration of the ‘Ashen Mountains’ and ‘Lava Lake’ which we had not been able to conquer before.

It wasn’t that difficult.

In addition to the ‘Fire Orb’ that prevents fire damage our combat power was much higher than when we first entered there.

“Is there any reason to leave the place that is most compatible with us and go somewhere else?”

While I was having fun in Hellfire Canyon Raven expressed concern about my decision.

But this issue cannot be compromised.

“You can’t just stay on the 5th floor forever right? “Now it’s time to explore other places.”

I got everything I could from Hellfire Canyon.

So it’s time to head to the next chapter.

“So where are you going?”

“It’s Frost Canyon.”

“Well if it’s Frost Canyon….”

Misha furrowed her brow and glanced at me.

Unlike Hellfire Canyon you know that this is a field that can be an opportunity for you.

Well it’s not a wrong guess.

In Frost Canyon several essences that have good synergy with the ice attribute Misha are dropped.

Actually what I’m aiming for is one of them.

‘If you eat that essence Frost Canyon will be over.’

Next the plan is to gain experience points in the remaining two fields of ‘Great Demon Lord’ and then clear the way to the 6th floor.

Well it will take another year just to get there.

‘Still a lot came.’

That was the moment I thought about it.

Ssaaaa-!

Light emanated from the vine ring he was wearing on his hand.

“Bjorn that can’t be right….”

Unlike the first time I did not deceive myself by trying to deny it. He didn’t even rub it with spit like twisting a vine saying he was going to put it back together.

Anyway nothing will change.

“The conditions for activating Star’s Protection have been met.”

The second vine blocking the dead flag related to the dragon slayer was cut.

Shit.